Range of motion device

Abstract

An orthosis for stretching the tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer includes a first member affixable to the foot and a second member operatively connected to the first member and affixable to the toe. A gear is connected to the second member and rotates relative to the first member to impart movement of the second member relative to the first member. A drive assembly is operatively coupled to the gear and drives rotation of the gear, thereby driving movement of the second member relative to the first member such that the toe moves relative to the foot.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer, said orthosis comprising:
 a first member affixable to the foot; 
 a second member operatively connected to the first member and affixable to the toe; 
 a gear fixedly connected to the second member and having a plurality of gear teeth, wherein the gear is configured to rotate relative to the first member to impart movement of the second member relative to the first member; and 
 a drive assembly operatively coupled to the gear and configured to drive rotation of the gear relative to the first member thereby driving movement of the second member relative to the first member such that the toe moves relative to the foot corresponding with said movement of the second member relative to the first member when the first member is affixed to the foot and the second member is affixed to the toe. 
 
     
     
       2. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes a worm gear engaging the gear. 
     
     
       3. The orthosis according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive assembly includes a first miter gear fixedly secured to the worm gear. 
     
     
       4. The orthosis according to  claim 3 , wherein the drive assembly includes a second miter gear engaging the first miter gear. 
     
     
       5. The orthosis according to  claim 4 , wherein the drive assembly includes a drive shaft fixedly secured to the second miter. 
     
     
       6. The orthosis according to  claim 5 , wherein the drive assembly includes a knob fixedly secured to the drive shaft. 
     
     
       7. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the first member includes a foot cuff, wherein the second member includes a toe cuff. 
     
     
       8. The orthosis according to  claim 7 , wherein the first member includes a strap secured to the foot cuff, wherein the second member includes a strap secured to the toe cuff. 
     
     
       9. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a programmable control system capable of automatically cycling relative movement between the first and second members according to predetermined parameters. 
     
     
       10. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second members move relative to one another about an axis of rotation that corresponds to an axis of rotation of relative movement between the toe and foot. 
     
     
       11. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first extension member secured to and extending from the first member, wherein the drive assembly is attached to the first extension member. 
     
     
       12. The orthosis according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes a drive shaft operatively connected to the gear for driving rotation of the gear.